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MA work blamed for maintenance faults

4th November 1999
Page 8
Page 8, 4th November 1999 — MA work blamed for maintenance faults
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• by Michael Jewell Former Road Haulage Association chairman Bob McKinnon's involvement with the RHA was said to be the root of maintenance problems experienced by his company James McKinnon Jnr (Haulage) when it appeared at a Glasgow disciplinary inquiry Scottish Deputy Traffic Commissioner Richard McFarlane took no action against the Kilmarnock-based company's licence for 35 vehicles and 38 trailers.

McKinnon said he was warned before taking RNA office that it could lead to him "taking his eye off the ball" in his own business. He was on the board of the RHA for 12 years, serving as both Scottish regional chairman and national chairman. He admitted that he found it particularly embarrassing to be before the Deputy TC.

He had thought the business would run perfectly well without him, he said, but that had not proved to be the case. He felt badly let down by the person left in charge, but he was now back in the saddle.

Vehicle examiner Robert Howie said the company had been warned about its maintenance standards in July 1994 and April 1997. It was given a final warning following the issue of an immediate prohibition for a significant maintenance failure in December 1997.

Over the past five years seven immediate prohibitions had been issued, four of them for significant maintenance failures, with 10 delayed prohibitions and three variation notices.

McKinnon said he had relinquished his responsibilities with the RHA; he had parted company with his transport manager, who had not come up to expectations in recent times; and he was now back in the workshop himself.

The company was currently operating 13 vehicles and three trailers, he added. The Deputy IC said he applauded McKinnon's involvement with the RHA but he had to divorce that from his consideration. However, since McKinnon had resumed his responsibilities with the company there had been no suggestion that there had been anything but improvements.

McFarlane said he had been impressed by McKinnon and head mechanic Alistair Ross. He could not see what more McKinnon could have done to address the situation.


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